A Crash Course on e-Books, Libraries and Bookstores in the PA Wilds

COVID-19 made some drastic changes to the experiences offered in the Pennsylvania Wilds. Many places have been closed, or are offering limited services. The residents are staying at home (or should be.) By order of the Pennsylvania Library association, libraries have been closed for long periods. And though many will now be opening cautiously as we enter the Green Phase, some people may still prefer to read safely from home.

However, some libraries are still offering certain services. If you already have a library card, and you have a computer or tablet, there are some things you can access from home. If you didn’t manage to check out a book before all this came down, you can still get a few — just digital ones. Libraries still have e-books available.

Pennsylvania Wilds Libraries

In the Pennsylvania Wilds, you can get e-books if you’re already registered at certain libraries. These include the Annie Halenbake Ross Library, with branches in Lock Haven, Renovo and Beech Creek in Clinton County; the James V. Brown Library, Muncy Public Library, Hughesville Public Library, and the Jersey Shore Public Library in Lycoming County; the Blossburg Memorial Library, Mansfield Free Library, and the Green Free Library in Tioga County; the Mount Jewett Library in McKean County; the Warren Public Library in Warren County; the Ridgway Library and the Saint Marys Library in Elk County; the Clarion Free Library in Clarion County; and the Coudersport Public Library and the Galeton Public Library in Potter County. I may have missed a few here; it’s a pretty comprehensive list. Feel free to add some in the comments.

Accessing e-Books

Most of the libraries will have a link to their e-book services on the website. If not, you can begin by logging in here or here. The above libraries can all be accessed on those sites. If you don’t see your library in the selections, it may be in a different system; check your library’s website for instructions.

Not to belabor the obvious, but click where it says “Sign In.” A drop-down menu should appear with the alphabetical list of local libraries that provide e-books. Select yours. Then the site will bring up a page for you to sign in with your library card number and code.

Your library card number should be on your card, if you have it available. If you don’t already have the card number and code, you’ll have to contact your local library for both. Though library hours and staff may be limited at present, each should have someone checking email, so contact them to inquire.

Once you’re signed in, now comes the fun part. Now you get to browse the books. You can check them out by what’s newest, or set the site to browse a specific genre. You can even search by author or title, if you’re interested in something specific. Play around with it a little and get familiar.

You can check the books out for a certain time, and renew them if you’re not finished. Other than the fact that it’s digital, the process works remarkably similar to entering the actual library.

What if you don’t already have a library card? Some of these libraries let you sign up online; others don’t. But you’re not completely out of luck yet.

There are bookstores in the PA Wilds that are offering shipping, deliveries or curbside service during this time. Contact the following bookstores and shops to learn more about their current services.

Pennsylvania Wilds Bookstores

Right now, in this time of crisis, you may have to stay inside. But you don’t have to stay bored. There’s plenty to read.